Tomb Raider and the Counselor
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By: Patia Zoei, Chief Counselor, [PC]
Dr. Alyssa Caitlin Northrop, Intel Officer, [PST]
Stardate: 58205.09 1000
When the door opened, the archeologist stepped inside, "Hello.....Counselor? I'm here for my appointment."
Zoei glanced up. "Come in and have a seat. I will have this wrapped up in just a moment." She smiled slightly at the woman who had entered her office. "Pick any spot you like on any of the couches over there."
Quickly, Zoei tidied the file she had been reviewing. She slipped it into its slot and slid back from her desk.
Northrop moved over to the couch and sat down. She looked somewhat different just now, sitting there. Very unlike the Alyssa Northrop that the crew of the Zion had seen since she'd gotten here. She looked almost timid, sitting with her knees together and her hands held tightly in her lap. Her eyes were a bit wider than normal as she watched the Counselor move across the room.
Zoei crossed to the sitting area. She settled into her seat, with her leg tucked up under her. "I had a memo from Captain Hunter that accompanied the request for the appointment. Since this isn't a traditional appointment, let's get started with how you wound up in my office today."
"Well," she began, her voice soft, "It would seem that I made the Captain mad....and now he's punishing me by making me talk to you and then making me go spend four days with the Klingons. Apparently he didn't like some of the things I told him." Alyssa looked quite uncomfortable where she sat on the very edge of the couch cushion.
"I don't think I am following you. This counseling session is a punishment? What did you say to the Captain?" Patia was puzzled about the comment regarding the Captain punishing Northrop by making her come to Zoei's office. Counseling, although it could be recommended if a superior officer deemed it was necessary, should never be construed as punishment if a positive outcome was to be expected.
"He said I lack discipline. Though that's a load of..." she blushed and restrained herself, "That's not correct. I'm as disciplined as they come.....I just don't enjoy being called incompetent. I've been surviving out here and getting my job done for a long time....all by myself. And he has the audacity to think I couldn't handle a Ferengi that might be a little bit dangerous?"
Alyssa swore under her breath in Trill, "Anyway....when I told him I was capable of handling the situation, apprently he decided that I needed to be taught a lession. So...he gave me a choice. Either a half hour session with you and 4 days on a Klingon Bird of Prey or 6 hours with you and remedial Academy training." Northrop looked none too happy with either option.
"My thinking is that I can handle the Klingons. At least with them I know what to expect."
"I see. Why would the Captain have thought you lacked discipline?"
"It's probably because I don't beat around the bush like you military types. Life's too short....so I get to the point. There's a chance that maybe I put a bit too much force behind my opinions." The brunnette shrugged, "I don't know....sometimes I think it was a mistake joining the Maquis."
Looking Zoei in the eyes, "I've never been one to take orders well. Just ask my old University Professors."
"I can understand that. However, right now, you are on a military vessel. As much as it may grate against you, there are formalities that need to be followed. Are you prepared for your time on the Klingon ship?" Zoei carefully watched Northrop for her reaction.
For a few moments all Zoei got in return was a shrug of the shoulders. "I've dealt with Klingons before...I even speak their language. I studied their culture a bit in school...and I find that it's very similar to that of the Ancient Japanese. They're honorable people...and most of them don't get hung up on formality. So long as you do your job. Personally, I think that they would find my 'lack of discipline' to be rather Klingon-like. And I suppose if things get too out of hand, a few well placed blows can resolve the situation." Alyssa smirked a bit, leaning back in the chair, "Who knows...maybe I can pick up some more Mok'bara while I'm there. I'm pretty good with most bladed weapons....such as the Bat'leth....but I don't have what they'd call good form. Just a mix of what's proven to work."
"What will your mission be during your time on the Klingon ship?"
"The Captain didn't say. But I'm sure it will be something very honorable." Smiling, "They're quite big on that."
"What are your plans when you return to the Zion?" Patia shifted slightly in her seat.
"My plans? Oh....I have no idea. The Captain won't let me go after Birkhoff....so I guess I'll sit in my office till the next time we get hijacked or something." Her tone didn't indicate too much enthusiasm about the idea. "And to think....I joined the Maquis because I thought they might just have an interest in helping me get my family out of the Federation." Alyssa shook her head. "Guess I was wrong, huh?"
"Have you discussed this situation with Commander Wright or Captain Hunter?" Zoei asked. The problem with Alyssa's concerns was there were a limited number of resources to handle specific rescue situations. If the only reason she joined the Maquis was to help her parents, it would make sense she wasn't receiving a lot of help with her situation. The Maquis needed to maximize the return they received from their investments of time. Retrieving two people may not be the most effective use of time at the moment.
"I know what you're thinking. That Mommy and Daddy are sitting back at home. Well...that's partially the case....but the rest of it is all because of my little brother. As it happens, he's one of Starfleet's best Research Engineers. And given my family's penchant for defecting, both myself and my older brother Lt. Commander Robert Northrop came over to this side, Starfleet decided to have Fleet Security keep them all company from now into the forseeable future. I didn't think the Maquis were going to help me out of the kindness of their hearts....I figured that perhaps they'd think my brother was worth getting out...and while we were there we could get my Mom and Dad too."
"Have you presented this plan to the Captain or Commander Wright?" Patia noticed Northrop could be quite perceptive, but appeared to be avoiding the basic questions that were addressed directly to her. The information about her brother could prove to be quite beneficial to the right people in the Maquis.
"Well..I've told everyone that would listen about Jimmy. When I signed up, I made it clear that getting them out of the Federation was my entire purpose. It was no secret ulterior motive." She sighed, "But anyway...I'm sure you have a whole list of questions you want to ask me....perhaps about my childhood and such."
"Actually, I don't need to ask you about your childhood. Your assignment from Captain Hunter was for a half hour session with me and your time is up. If you would like to meet with me again, I would be happy to discuss your childhood, your family, the attack we just came through, or anything else that comes to mind. If you do not wish to meet, you have no further obligation at this time." Patia waited for Northrop's response.
Alyssa looked over at Zoei. "You know....I'm getting that distinct impression that you want to talk to me some more.....you probably think there's something wrong with me." She laughed, "You probably read my personnel file. Of course...anyone who read that thing might very well think I was insane. Lord knows my Mother's been wondering for years."
"So...if you did want to continue this.....perhaps we could forgo the office and talk in the crew lounge over drinks like a couple of friends? Of course....there's always the option of us actually having drinks as friends instead of just acting like it."
She hoped that she hadn't offended the Counselor. Of late, Alyssa Northrop had found that she'd been offending most everyone she met. She couldn't put her finger on it exactly, but this woman intrigued her. Maybe it was because she didn't seem to go in for all the touchy feely BS that she'd come to expect from Counselors? The archeologist had always appreciated people that got to the point.
"If we chose to have drinks, we wouldn't need to discuss your background then either. I am sure there are plenty of other topics we could choose." Patia smiled slightly. "Actually, I am going to Miranda's for dinner. I will be going there around 1700 tonight."
Alyssa smiled, "That would be nice. How about I meet you there...and we can talk about anything you'd like. And how about we lose the uniforms? Just two friends...having some dinner."
She sincerely hoped this wasn't over the top. Patia Zoei was turning out to be very different than she'd expected. Someone she could like.
Patia chuckled. "It isn't often I dress down, but I might have something in the old closet I can wear. Let's make it 1730. I had planned on going there directly from here. That will give me time to rummage through what I have and still make it on time, if you don't mind?"
"I don't mind at all. 1730 it is." Alyssa went to stand and ended up knocking several throw pillows onto the floor. Picking them up, she noted just how colorful they were. "Patia....where'd you get these? They're very interesting."
"They were handcrafted especially for my office. There is definitely a little more color in here since I added them." Patia smiled.
Alyssa tossed them back onto the couch. "I'll see you at 1730...."
"1730 it is," Patia smiled slightly as she turned back walk back to her desk.